"Fine Dining That Sells Alcohol, So Naturally"
vs "There’s Also a Welcome Kids Zone"
The popularity of Netflix's cooking survival variety show 'Heukbaek Chef' has extended to the restaurants run by its cast members, among which some are operating as 'No Kids Zones,' sparking heated debate.
This came to light when it was revealed that restaurants such as Napoli Mafia, Triple Star, and Cooking Ddora-i are designated as No Kids Zones. Cooking Ddora-i's restaurant informs customers that "due to the nature of the establishment selling alcoholic beverages, minors are restricted from entering." Similarly, Napoli Mafia operates as a dining bar with bar-style tables seating six people, where alcohol must be consumed alongside the food.
Some responded that "these restaurants are fine dining establishments where alcohol is essential, so such measures are natural," and added, "Parents also visit these restaurants with great care and would prefer not to hear children crying on that day." However, there are also many pointing out that "there are fine dining restaurants that are not No Kids Zones." In particular, the restaurant run by One Two Three is a welcome kids zone, making the comparison even more striking. However, customers accompanied by children are required to use private rooms.
According to the report "Current Status and Future Tasks of No Kids Zone Operation" (Researcher Kim Areum) by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, as of 2022, there were over 500 No Kids Zone establishments in South Korea. These were mainly concentrated in populous areas such as Gyeonggi, Jeju, and Seoul, with cafes and restaurants being the most common types of businesses. This domestic situation has even become known abroad. In February, a French media outlet highlighted the paradoxical situation in a country with the world's lowest birth rate, which invests huge budgets annually to overcome low birth rates, yet where No Kids Zone businesses banning children’s entry are widespread.
Are there legal issues? In 2017, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea ruled that "operating No Kids restaurants constitutes discrimination against children," and last year decided that "restricting children's entry to department store VIP lounges also constitutes discrimination against children." These decisions were based on Articles 10 and 11 of the Constitution, concerning the right to pursue happiness and equality. The right of children not to be discriminated against was deemed to take precedence over business freedom.
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